Closure lock



May 26, 1931-' H. .Jj HANSEN 1,807,033

CLOSURE LOCK Filed Aug. 1 1950 gmwru 'anonimi Patented May 2e, 1931 UNITED STATS l'. HANSEN', 0F LA JUNTA, COLORADO hLosUaE Loox Application led August 1, 1930. SeriaLNo. 472,228.

This invention relates to closure locks and 'more particularly to locks for the caps upon motor vehicle gasoline tanks.

The main object of the invention is to prof vide an electromagnetically operated lock cap for automobile gasoline tanks which can only be operatedor unlocked when the automobile ignition switch is turned on thus preventing unauthorized persons from removing the cap. A further object is to provide a lock cap which may be applied to the'tank lwithout any alteration of the samewhatever.

A further object is to provide a lock cap of the above characteristics in a simple, durable 1B and eicient form. X t

The foregoing and other objects together with means whereby the same may be carried into efect will best be-understood from the following description of a preferred em-l bodiment of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawings where- 1n: t

Figure 1 is a crosssection through the upper portion of the cap showing the locking elements in plan.

Figure 2 is a section along the line 2--2l in Fi ure 1.

Re erring now more particularly to the drawings, the reference character A designates a portion of the conventional gasoline tank and B the externally threaded annulus or neck thereon surrounding the mouth C through which the tank A is filled. The present invention comprises an attaching ring 1 and a cap 2 hinged at 3 to the said ring 1. i Theattaching ring 1 is internallythreaded as shown at 4 and is so adapted to be screwed on the annulus B of the tank to support the cap 2 thereon. An inwardly extend ed lip 5is provided on the ring 1 and the same overlies the end of the annulus B and a lug or ear 6 is depended from this li 5 in s aced relationship to the inner threade posite the hinge 3 whereby the said 1i may slip within the annulus B as shown. lock screw 7 'is threaded through the lug 6 and serves as aimeans for crigldly securing the rin 1 on the annulus B as will be readily una perip ery of the ring 1 and diametrically op-l rstood. The cap 2 is hollow and has its underside closed by a circular plate 8 whereby the cap is closed against the entrance thereinto of gasoline which might be splashed from vthe tank A. An electromagnet 9 is mounted within the cap 2 and the same has 55 its axis aligned with the hinge 3 and the point on the ring 1 to which the lug 6 is attached, the outer end of the said electromagnet being disposed adjacent the point at which the cap 2 is hinged. A partition 10 ,is extended across the cap 2 within the plate 8 at right angles to the axis of the electromagnet 9 and at some distance from the inner end thereof. A lock plunger 11 is slidably mounted through an aperture 12 in the partition 10 in axial alignment with the electromagnet 9, the said plunger being square in cross section so that Y it cannot rotate as will be understood. An enlarged head1?) is provided on the inner end of the plunger 11 and an expansion coil spring 11 is braced between this head 13 and the electromagnet 9 whereby the'plunger is normally urged outward away from the electromagnet. The head 13 vof course limits this outward movement of the plunger 1 1. The spring 14 is seated over or around the extended core 15 .ofthe electromagnet 9 and is so held in its vpro er position. A locking catch 16 is exten ed u ward from the lip 5 on the ring 1 above t e lug 6 and extends into the cap 2 through an aperture y17 in the plate 8'thereon. Near its upper end the catch 16 has an aperture18 to receive the end of the lock plunger 11 and the extreme upper end of the catch is bent or curved to one side as shown at 19.- The outerI end o f the plunger 11 is beveled off as shown at 20 and the ar-v ran emnt ,issuch that the lun er will irst be orced inward towardfthe "e ectromagnet 9 as the cap 2 is closed a ainst the ring 1"'90` by this beveled end 20 striking the curved end 19 of the catch 16, the plunger of course entering the aperturev 18 when it comes in alignment with the same. An expansion coil spring 21 isfseated in a recess 22 provided 95 in the rlng4 1 diametrically opposite Vthe\ hinge 3 and thigespring is compressed when the cap 2 is closed for a purpose to be described. A bushing 23 is provided through Ithe cap -2 over the hinge 3 and the ycurrent 100 supply wires 24; and 25 of the electromagnet 9 pass out through this bushing and are connected to the source of electrical current in a manner to be described. A v In use the wire 2 4 is grounded at any suitable point as shown at'26 so that it is thus connected to the grounded terminal of the usual auto battery 28. The other vwire 25 is then connected to the conventional ignition switch 29 and this4 switch 29 is connected to any conventional form of auxiliary switch as designated at 30. The auxiliany switch 30is then connected to the ungrounded terminal of the battery 28. The

arrangement ofthe wiring is such that both the ignition switch 29 and thefswitch 30 must be closed in order to complete the cir- `cuit to the electromagnet 9. x This of course requires that .the ignltion key (not shown) be placed in the ignition switch 29 and the latter turned to its on position before the electromagnet can be operated and so prevents any person other than the driver or owner of the auto from unlocking the gasoline tank. When the switch 29 is turned to its on position and the switch 30 is closed the Velectromag'net 9 is energized and the lock plunger` 11 is drawn inward towards the core 15 so that it disengages the catch 16. The coil spring 21 then throws the cap 2 up- Iward somewhat so that the plunger 11 cannot again enter the aperture 18 in the/catch 16 when the switch 30 is opened. The cap 2 may then4 be swung back to present an aperture through which the tank A may be filled. Due to this action of the spring 21 a momentary closing of the switch 30 is suliicient to unlock the cap -2 'andthe cap will then vcui remain unlocked until depressed against the ring 1. by hand. Ihe, arrangement shown may of course be used upon tanks or receptaclesof any type andcontaining any liquid or other material. l

While I have herein set forth a certain manner and method of assembling the elements of my invention'it is understood that I may vary from the same in minor structural details, so as best t Lconstruct a practical device for the urposes intended, not departing from the s 1rit ofthe invention .and within the scope o the appended claims.

claim:

1. In a device of the kind described, in

- combination with a receptacle having an annulus,-an attaching ring adapted to t over the said annulus, means for securin the on the annulus, a" catc extended rom t d attaching rin a cap hinged to the attaching ring, a lock p unger slida ly mounted in the cap and spring set to normally engage the said catch, and Velectromagnetically operated means for disengaging the said lock plunger from the catch.

2.111 d dem@ of the' kind described, in combination with a receptacle having an Leonesa annulus, an attaching ring adapted to lit over thev said annulus, means for securing the attaching ring on the annulus,a catch extendto urge the cap away -from' the attaching.

ring a short distance when the lock plunger is disengaged from the catch.

3. In a device of the kind described in combination with an automobile gaso ne tank, ignition switch and battery, a deviceof the kind described including an attaching ring secured/on the tank, a cap* hinged on the attaching ring, electromagnetic.means for locking and unlocking the said cap on the attaching ring, the said electromagnetic means being connected to the battery through the ignition switch Whereb 4the opening of the cap is under control oiy the ignition switch.

In testimony whereof I a'lix my si nature.'

' HARRY J. IIA SEN. 

